Nothing could be more appropriate as 2012 winds down and we look forward to brighter times ahead than First Night Chatham's theme this year. In past New Year's Eve celebrations, event organizers looked to Chatham's history to provide a backdrop to the festivities. The 2012 theme is "Our Town — Our Children — Our Future."

Particular attention will be paid to children's play — what thrills and delights them, what engages them, what makes them giggle, what makes them gaze skyward in awe.

The popular family-friendly, alcohol-free, townwide celebration of the arts will feature more than 75 performances and events on Monday and will also bring to a rousing close the yearlong celebration of Chatham's 300th birthday.

For kids and adults, the circus is back in the form of Cirque du Jour, with four performances — at 1, 3, 5 and 7 p.m. — at Chatham High School. The Toe Jam Puppet Band encourages visitors to sing and dance along with them as they entertain with a unique combination of original songs, masterful shadow puppetry, storytelling and just plain old good fun. Shows can be seen at 12:30 and 2 p.m. at the Chatham Community Center, 712 Main St.

Allegretto, a musical-instrument demonstration group geared to children and schools, will perform musical pieces from solos to ensembles to show how each instrument works and is played. Children in the audience will be invited up, if they wish, to take a close look at the instruments and to ask questions of the musicians. This event will be held at 1 p.m. at the community center gym.

The ever-popular and ever-raucous Noise Parade will assemble at 6 p.m. at the corner of Cross and Main streets. The point, as the name implies, is to encourage participants to make noise in any way they possibly can. This event is open to all ages; silly hats and parade puppets are welcome. Noisemakers will be on sale at St. Christopher's Church and the high school entrance. A police escort will lead the parade to the community center in time for the young First Nighter's edition of New Year's Eve fireworks. The special low-level display will be launched from Veteran's Field and can be viewed from the community center's parking lots and fields.

There are many indoor venues if the weather takes a turn and there are buses available to transport revelers from one site to another. There is also a wide array of food choices available throughout the day and night.

A second fireworks display — at midnight — kicks off with a sight that makes the Big Apple Drop in Times Square look dull — the annual Countdown Cod Drop over Oyster Pond. The cod drops from a crane high over the Oyster Pond park and its creator is promising a special surprise this year.

For a comprehensive listing, including printable schedules, of times, venues and performers: www.firstnightchatham.com. First Night buttons are required for all indoor events, but not the parade or fireworks.

Saturday, Dec. 29

Wellfleet Preservation Hall will host the Ibis Chamber Music Society in two performances — at 2 and 7:30 p.m. — at the hall, 335 Main St. The first performance will be a Family Concert, specifically designed with children in mind.The second will be a Festive Winter Concert, which will include works by Vivaldi, Grieg, Britten and others. The society is an ensemble of string quartet, flute, harp and piano. The musicians are drawn from the Kennedy Center, National Symphony and Boston Pops Orchestras. The friendly and informal performances encourage many first-time concertgoers to come out and hear great music. Tickets: Afternoon concert, $8 for children, $12 for adults. Evening concert: $20 general admission, $35 for preferred seating and reception.

Sunday, Dec. 30

Pop, jazz and blues artist Suede will be back in Provincetown for an annual New Year's Weekend Concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Paramount Lounge of the Crown and Anchor, 247 Commercial St. She will be accompanied by Freddie Boyle at the piano and Rich Hill on bass. Suede has appeared on ABC's "20/20," NPR and MTV. Her PBS fundraiser "Suede - Live At Scullers Jazz Club" has aired nationally in 50 markets. Her latest CD is "Dangerous Mood," and the year has been spent traveling to such locations as Alaska, Scandinavia and Russia. Tickets: $25 general admission, limited VIP tickets are $50. Information: www.suedewave.com and www.onlyatthecrown.com or 508-487-1430.

Cape Cod Opera is starting celebrating New Year's Eve with a Sunday performance that is connected to the First Night activities in Chatham. The 7:30 p.m. show at United Methodist Church, 16 Cross Street will feature Aleksandra Romano, Vira Slywotzky, Matthew Singer and Gregory Zavracky. A First Night Button ($18 for adults, $5 for children 3-11, children 2 and under, free) is required for entry. Information: www.capecodopera.com or www.firstnightchatham.com.

Tuesday, Jan. 1

The Cultural Center of Cape Cod will host "Winter Magic: A Quality Antiques Show" from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the center, 307 Old Main St., South Yarmouth. This full-scale antiques show will feature dealers from Cape Cod and beyond. Antiques available will include country furniture, nautical items, samplers, Canton china, cut and pressed glass, folk art, paintings, chocolate molds, prints, hooked rugs, baskets, stoneware, decoys, Bennington pottery, and more. All proceeds benefit the cultural center, a non-profit bringing "All the Arts for All of Us" to the greater Cape community. Light refreshments will be available. No one will be admitted until 10 a.m. Admission: $6, $5 with discount card. Information: www.cultural-center.org or 508-394-7100.